Addis Ababa, September 4, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has underlined the critical role of military capability in safeguarding Ethiopia’s economic progress, stressing that sustainable prosperity requires a strong defense foundation.
The Premier made the remarks during his visit today to the Aero Abay drone manufacturing facility, where he inspected the country’s growing technological capacity in defense production.
Highlighting Ethiopia’s reform-driven economic transformation, Abiy stated that the nation has already recorded substantial achievements in agriculture, industry, technology, tourism, and mining. He noted, however, that such gains must be reinforced by robust military power to ensure long-term stability and prosperity.
“Prosperity and transformation are indisputable realities in Ethiopia,” the Prime Minister said. “But this journey must be protected by the shield of military capability, for a nation’s progress is measured not only by its economy but also by the strength that defends it.”
He recalled that in the past Ethiopia faced the challenge of acquiring drones from abroad, yet today the country has advanced to producing them locally with its own expertise. The Aero Abay facility, he revealed, is manufacturing reconnaissance drones capable of carrying diverse equipment, as well as commercial drones, while several other institutions are also engaged in similar production.
According to Abiy, this evolution demonstrates Ethiopia’s determination to match economic transformation with technological advancement in defense. He emphasized that military capacity, particularly through modern technology, is a vital safeguard to protect the country’s sovereignty and development gains from potential threats.
The Prime Minister’s visit, he noted, reflects Ethiopia’s broader strategy of aligning economic growth with national security preparedness—ensuring that the pursuit of prosperity is matched by the means to defend it.